Man City are one of the teams 'interested' in Juventus defender Leanardo Bonucci, according to reports.
Pep Guardiola wants to add a new centre-back to his side this summer following the departure of captain Vincent Kompany, who joined hometown club Anderlecht as player/manager after 11 glorious years at City.
It appears as though Leicester City's Harry Maguire has emerged as his number one target yet a deal is proving difficult to complete.
The Foxes are notoriously tough negotiators, as City know all too well from the prolonged struggle to sign winger Riyad Mahrez, and aren't willing to budge on their valuation of Maguire.
Leicester have already rejected two bids and it's expected they will demand at least a world record breaking transfer fee for a defender, currently set at the £75million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk, to be persuaded to part ways with their prized asset.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers reiterated that the club are under no pressure to sell Maguire: “I'll repeat, Harry doesn't need to be sold. We don't have to sell him to get money so and that's the beauty of this club. It's in a great position financially.
"There's a bit of time to go in the window yet but at this moment in time we're quite relaxed as a club with where it’s at."
A possible alternative to the expensive Maguire could be Juventus' star Bonucci, and accodrding to Corriere dello Sport, cited by Calciomercato, City are one of the clubs interested.
The Italian giants have secured the impressive signing of Ajax teenage sensation Matthijs de Ligt but as a result 'a central defender will have to leave the club during the summer.'
It's claimed that Bonucci feels 'undermined' by the signing and 'could be the man to depart' just a year after rejoining the Old Lady following an ill-fated season at AC Milan.
Guardiola has praised Bonucci in the past and, even though he is 32, the Italian could prove to be a cheaper alternative whose style will fit into City's style of play.
Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be interested.
Elsewhere, Thiago Almada is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract at Velez Sarsfield, according to reports.
The Daily Mail say the City target is reluctant to sign a new deal as it would see his release clause rise from £14m to £23m.
Previous reports have suggested City’s interest will see them assist Sporting in signing Almada, with a ‘future option’ agreement should he impress in Portugal.
